Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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HINGE DEVICE FOR DOOR LEAVES IN GLASS OR THE LIKE
DESCRIPTION
Field of the invention
The present invention is generally applicable to the technical field of hinges
for
closing and controlling door leaves for showcases or similar closing elements,
and in
particular it regards a hinge device for the movement and for the controlled
rotary opening
and closing of a closing element, such as for example a glass door leaf of a
showcase or the
like, anchored to a stationary support structure, such as for example a frame.
State of the Art
It is known to use plexiglass showcases used to contain foodstuffs, such as
for
example bread, which are easily accessible to users by rotating the door leaf
around a
horizontal or vertical hinging axis.
As known, hinges comprise a movable element, usually fixed to the door leaf of
the
showcase, or the like, hinged to a fixed element, usually fixed to the support
frame of the
latter.
Often, such hinges are mainly of the mechanical type and they do not provide
any
kind of opening and/or closing control.
It is also known that such door leaves are subject to possible forced opening
due to
the use of incautious users.
As a matter of fact, such known devices do not provide an opening block and
the
door leaves are therefore subject to possible unhinging and/or damage.
Furthermore, in the light of the aforementioned inconveniences, it is not
known to
use the glass to make the door leaves of the showcases in question, with
ensuing limitation
of the materials used for making the same.
Summary of the invention
An object of the present invention is to at least partly overcome the
aforementioned
drawbacks, by providing a hinge device that is highly functional, easy to
manufacture and
inexpensive.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge device that allows a
simple and
practical adjustment of the opening and closing of the closing element to
which it is
constrained.
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Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge capable of guaranteeing
the
controlled movement of the door leaf to which it is constrained, both during
the opening
and closing.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge device suitable for the
controlled opening and closing of glass door leaves.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge device that has a
minimum
number of components.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge device capable of
maintaining
the exact closing position over time.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge device that is extremely
safe.
Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge device that is extremely
easy to
install.
These and other objects to be further clarified hereinafter, are achieved by a
hinge
device having one or more of the characteristics described and/or claimed
and/or illustrated
herein.
Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined according to the
dependent
claims.
Brief description of the drawings
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more apparent
in the
light of the detailed description of some preferred but non-exclusive
embodiments of a
hinge device according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting
example with
reference to the attached drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1A is an exploded view of a hinge device 1;
FIG. 1B is an axonometric view of the shaft 30, regarding which FIG. 1C is a
lateral
view;
FIG. 2A is a lateral view of the hinge device 1 of FIG. 1A in which the
closing element
A is in closed position, regarding which FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken
along a plane 1-1;
FIG. 3A is a lateral view of the hinge device 1 of FIG. 1A in which the
closing element
A is open by an angle 13 equal to 1800, regarding which FIG. 3B is a sectional
view taken along
a plane II-11;
FIG. 4A is a front view of the hinge device 1 of FIG. 1A, regarding which FIG.
4B is a
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sectional view taken along a plane III-Ill;
FIG. 5 is an axonometric view of the hinge device 1 and of a portion of the
closing
element A that can be directly coupled to the hinge device 1;
FIG. 6A is a front view of the assembly consisting of the hinge device 1 and
the
closing element A, regarding which FIGS. 68 and 6C are top and lateral views,
respectively;
FIG. 7A is an axonometric view of the hinge device 1 in which the closing
element A is
in closed position, regarding which FIGS. 78 and 7C are the corresponding
axonometric and
top views of the assembly consisting of a pair of hinge devices 1 and the
closing element A;
FIG. 8A is an axonometric view of the hinge device 1 in which the closing
element A is
in the first open position, regarding which FIGS. 88 and 8C are the
corresponding
axonometric and top views of the assembly consisting of a pair of hinge
devices 1 and the
closing element A;
FIG. 9A is an axonometric view of the hinge device 1 wherein the closing
element A is
in the third open position (in which the angle 13 has a value comprised
between 85 and 1100
,
in particular 1100 in this case), regarding which FIGS. 98 and 9C are the
corresponding
axonometric and top views of the assembly consisting of a pair of hinge
devices 1 and the
closing element A;
FIGS. 10A and 11A are axonometric views of the hinge device 1 wherein the
closing
element A is in the second open position (in which the angle 13 has a value
comprised
between 1100 and 180 , in particular 165 and 1800 in this case), regarding
which FIGS. 1013,
118 and 10C, 11C are the corresponding axonometric and top views of the
assembly
consisting of a pair of hinge devices 1 and the closing element A;
FIG. 12A is a lateral view of the hinge device 1 of FIG. 1A wherein the valve
means 60
are in a further embodiment;
FIGS. 128 and 12C are respectively a sectional view along a plane IV-IV and a
sectional view along a plane V-V of the embodiment of FIG. 12A;
FIG. 13A is a top view of the valve means 60 of the embodiment illustrated in
FIG.
128, regarding which FIG. 138 is a sectional view along a plane VI-VI.
Detailed description of some preferred embodiments
With reference to the mentioned figures, herein described is a hinge device 1
for the
controlled rotary opening and closing movement of a closing element A, such as
a door leaf
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or the like preferably in glass, anchored to a stationary support structure S,
such as a frame
preferably in glass.
The present invention can include various parts and/or similar or identical
elements.
Unless otherwise specified, similar or identical parts and/or elements will be
indicated using
a single reference number, it being clear that the described technical
features are common
to all similar or identical parts and/or elements.
Generally, the hinge device 1 can include a fixed element 10 that can be
anchored to
the frame S and a movable element 20 that can be anchored to the door leaf A.
Suitably, the fixed 10 and movable 20 elements will be coupled to each other
so as to
rotate around a longitudinal axis X between a closed position, illustrated for
example in
FIG.7A, and at least one open position, illustrated for example in FIG.8A.
Suitably, the fixed 10 and movable 20 elements can include a respective first
and
second fixing portion 15, 25 for anchoring to the frame S and to the door leaf
A.
Preferably, the movable element 20 can include a working chamber 21 defining
the
axis X and a stem 40 slidable therein between at least two end-stop positions.
The working chamber 21 can also comprise elastic damping means 50 which are
susceptible to abut against the stem 40 so as to dampen the motion thereof by
imparting an
opposing force so as to oppose the movement of the door leaf A by the user, as
will be
described in more detail below.
According to a preferred but not exclusive embodiment, the stem 40 can be
coupled
to a plunger element 42 so that they slide integrally along the axis X.
The stem 40 can comprise a portion 43 comprising an end 43' at which a housing
hole
43" into which a pin 41 can be inserted can be provided.
The portion 43 can further comprise an end 43" coupled, preferably by
screwing, to
the plunger element 42.
Suitably, the stem 40 can further comprise a portion 44 comprising an end 44'
coupled to the plunger element 42, preferably by screwing, and an opposite end
44" suitable
to abut against the elastic damping means 50.
As particularly illustrated in FIG.2B, the working chamber 21 can comprise a
housing
area 51 in which the elastic damping means 50 can be accommodated.
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These can comprise a pressing member 52 and a damping element 53, such as for
example a belleville washer, as illustrated in FIG.4B, or a polyurethane
elastomer body, as
illustrated in FIG.2B, suitable to occupy the housing area 51 upon the
compression thereof.
Such damping elements 53 can impart a high opposing force upon minimal
compressions.
Conveniently, the working chamber 21 can include a working fluid for the
hydraulic
damping of the movement of the movable element 20 around the axis X.
Conveniently, the plunger element 42 can divide the working chamber 21 into a
first
and a second variable-volume compartment 23', 23", which can be placed in
fluid
communication using valve means 60.
Such valve means 60 can comprise a calibrated opening 62 and an opening 61
comprising a shutter 61' susceptible to open when the door leaf A is opened
and close when
the door leaf is closed, so as to force the working fluid to flow exclusively
through the
second calibrated opening 62, as disclosed in the applications
PCT/IB2015/050603,
PCT/IB2017/05836 or in the Italian application 102018000008233.
Preferably, the opening 61 and the shutter 61' can be part of a check valve.
Even more preferably, the calibrated opening 62 can have a diameter of
suitable size,
possibly small, so as to dampen the closure of the door leaf A, depending on
the desired
degree.
Conveniently, the hinge device 1 can comprise a shaft 30 inserted into the
working
chamber 21 along the axis X.
The shaft 30 can comprise a connection portion 31 for connecting the fixed 10
and
movable 20 elements.
The shaft 30 can also comprise a tubular working portion 32 opposite the
connection
portion 31.
Suitably, the tubular working portion 32 can comprise a pair of slots 34
facing each
other.
Each slot 34 can comprise a portion 35 extending along an axis X' parallel to
the axis
X and a portion 37 extending along an axis Y.
Preferably, the axis Y can be incident to the axis X' so that an angle a
greater than 90
can be defined between the portion 35 and the portion 37, as shown in
particular in FIG. 1C.
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It is clear that the angle a can be substantially equal to 900, without
departing from
the scope of protection of the attached claims.
Suitably, a portion 36 defining an axis Z substantially transversal with
respect to the
axes X' and V. can be interposed between the portions 35 and 37.
The portion 36 can comprise a guide surface 36' inclined corresponding to the
axis Z.
According to a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment, the working chamber 21
can further comprise an end portion 22 comprising a pair of actuator slots 24.
Preferably, the slots 24 can be arranged facing each other and rotating around
the
axis X.
More particularly, the slots 24 can have a rightward or leftward development.
According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG.1A, the slots 24 can have a
leftward
development.
Conveniently, the stem 40 can be inserted into the tubular working portion 32
so that
the pin 41 can slide along the slots 24 and 34.
In particular, each pair of slots 24 and 34 can constitute a single guide
element for
the pin 41.
More particularly, during the movement of the door leaf A and thus upon the
rotation of the fixed element 10 and the movable element 20 around the axis X,
the slots 24
can guide the movement of the pin 41 along the slots 34.
However, it is clear that a single pair of slots can be formed in the tubular
working
portion 32 or in the movable element 20 without departing from the scope of
protection of
the attached claims.
Furthermore, it is clear that two or more slots can be formed in the tubular
working
portion 32 and/or in the end portion 22 without departing from the scope of
protection of
the attached claims.
Operatively, as particularly illustrated in FIG.8A, when the door leaf A is
moved to
open by an angle 13 comprised for example between 0 and 85 , the pin 41 can
slide along
the portion 35 and the stem 40 can be moved from a first end-stop position in
which the end
43' is proximal to the connection portion 31 of the shaft 30, to a second end-
stop position in
which the end 43' is distal therefrom.
More particularly, when the door leaf A is in a first opening position,
corresponding
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for example to an angle 13 of 85 , the end 44" of the stem 40 will come into
contact with the
pressing member 52.
Starting from this angle, the door leaf A can close automatically in a damped
manner
solely due to the action of the previously described hydraulic circuit.
As shown in FIG. 9A, when the door leaf A is moved to open by an angle 13
comprised
between 85 and 110 , corresponding to a third open position, the pin 41 can
slide along the
portion 36 and the stem 40 can be moved from the second to a third end-stop
position with
ensuing compression of the damping element 53.
Starting with a value of 13 comprised between 85 and 110 , the door leaf A
can thus
be closed automatically due to the work of the damping means 50 which will
push the pin 41
to abut against the guide surface 36' which will direct the pin 41 along the
portion 35 to
reach the aforementioned first open position.
Starting from such position, the door leaf A can reach the closed position as
described previously.
Furthermore, such closure can be suitably damped by the previously described
hydraulic circuit.
As illustrated in FIGS. 10A-11A, when the door leaf A is moved to open by an
angle 13
comprised between 110 and 180 , corresponding to a second open position, the
pin 41 can
slide along the portion 36 and the stem 40 can be moved from the third to a
fourth end-stop
position with ensuing further compression of the damping element 53.
In particular, as a result of opening angles 13 greater than 110 , the door
leaf A will
lock in the position reached due to the countering force generated by the
damping element
53 which will push the pin 41 to abut against the abutment surface 37' of the
portion 37, as
particularly illustrated in FIGS. 10A-11A.
The user will then have to manually return the door leaf A up to an angle 13
measuring 110 , starting from which the door leaf A can be closed
automatically as
described previously.
It is clear that, during the opening of the door leaf A and as concerns
opening angles
13 comprised between 85 and 180 , the user can perceive a resistance against
the increasing
movement, due to the incremental countering force generated by the progressive
compression of the damping element 53.
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This resistance will cause the user to avoid forcing the door leaf A to open,
preventing it from unhinging it.
It is clear that the described hinge device 1 can guarantee the controlled
rotary
opening and closing movement of closing elements A, in particular glass door
leaves.
In light of the above, it is clear that the invention attains the pre-set
objectives.
The invention is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants all
falling within
the inventive concept outlined in the attached claims. All details can be
replaced by other
technically equivalent elements, and the materials can be different depending
on the
technical needs, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the
attached
claims.
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